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A synonym is a word with the same meaning as another word, and an antonym describes a word with an opposite meaning. Fifth-graders spend a good portion of time dealing with synonyms and antonyms, because it helps them build vocabulary, learn to read new words and expand the richness of their spoken language. Instead of teaching these concepts through lecture, introduce participatory activities instead. It'll be more engaging, and your fifth-graders are also more likely to retain the information.

Synonym and Antonym Hunt

Pass out a thesaurus to each student and teach the class how to use the book. Then provide each student with a specific word, such as "good" or "bad," and have fifth-graders go through the thesaurus to find synonyms and antonyms. Invite the students to share their lists with the class. For another hunt idea, point out words around school as you walk to recess or to the lunchroom. Encourage the fifth-graders to give you examples of synonyms and antonyms of each word.

Rewrite Some Writing

Make copies of a passage from a book that's appropriate for fifth-graders. Read the story as a class and have the students underline specific words that you choose. Once you're done reading, have students look at the underlined words and come up with a synonym and antonym for each. Ask the students to share their words with the class. Put a twist on the activity by asking your fifth-graders to write a short story, underlining a few words as they write. Have the students swap stories and come up with a synonym and antonym for each of the words their peer underlines.

Word Games

Divide your fifth-graders into two teams and have one person from each team approach the chalkboard or whiteboard. Give the students a word and see which team can come up with a synonym or antonym first. The first team to write a word gets a point. Invite two new players to the board and play another round. The winning team is the one with the most points at the end of playtime. Another way to play is to write several words on slips of paper and put them into a jar. Draw a word out of the jar, read it out loud and see which team can shout out a synonym or antonym first. That team gets a point, and play continues until all the words have been drawn from the jar.

A Few More Simple Ideas

When possible, ask your fifth-graders to write synonyms and antonyms for their spelling or vocabulary words. You might also give your fifth-graders blank paper and ask them to write down any tricky words they come upon as they read. Students can then use the thesaurus to find synonyms and antonyms for these tricky words. This helps reinforce the concept of synonyms and antonyms, but it also helps build the vocabulary of your fifth-graders.

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About the Author

Sara Ipatenco has taught writing, health and nutrition. She started writing in 2007 and has been published in Teaching Tolerance magazine. Ipatenco holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in education, both from the University of Denver.